Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC Reviews 

14,157
TrustScore 5 out of 5

4.8

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 4,650 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the friendly staff and volunteers who provide highly attentive service, ensuring that every visitor feels genuinely welcomed and valued throughout the entire day. People also mention the delicious meals, well-maintained carriages, and wonderful scenic views enjoyed during their relaxing and memorable railway journeys. Some reviewers were not happy with unexpected delays, noting that the train remained stationary for long periods or that certain route trips fell short of expectations. Some people also felt that certain minor issues like food temperature or a lack of communication during unexpected stops could be improved.

What people talk about most

Staff

People report positive experiences with staff, highlighting their welcoming and friendly demeanor throughout... See more

Service

Users describe positive interactions with service, highlighting friendly, helpful, and professional staff... See more

User experience

Reviewers mention positive feedback about user_experience, highlighting well-organized journeys and friendly... See more

Product

Clients share positive opinions on product quality, highlighting that the food is consistently delicious,... See more

Quality

Customers had positive experiences with quality, highlighting that meals were delicious and beautifully... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We chose the lunchtime dining experience for our trip on the Churnet Valley Railway and had a really great day. The online booking process was straightforward and we were warmly greeted when we arrive... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent trip. Lots of volunteer staff around, good tanoy announcements, decent tearooms, clean carriages, and we liked the trolley service on the train. Very dog friendly. Lovely train ride, which t... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A really enjoyable evening journey on the railway, with an excellent Mexican meal served.The train carriages are very well maintained, with comfortable and roomy table seating. Our meal was served by... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lovely few hours around the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside. Very good value, we did the Butty and Brew which is highly recommended. Although web site said sold out, the train wasn't overcrowded a... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Tourist Attraction
  2. Breakfast Restaurant
  3. English Restaurant
  4. Heritage Preservation
  5. Railroad Company

About Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Written by the company

Churnet Valley Railway: A Journey Through Time and Scenic Beauty

Hop on board Churnet Valley Railway, Staffordshire’s premier heritage railway, for an unforgettable journey through England's scenic countryside. Catering to a wide range of audiences, Churnet Valley Railway offers not just a trip, but an experience designed to delight all ages.

Entertainment for Everyone: Whether it’s a fun-filled day out with the kids, who will be thrilled by special children's events like The Mad Hatters Tea Train Party, an exotic and romantic lunch excursion for couples, or their tipsy Rail Ale Trail for you and your mates – there's something for everyone at Churnet Valley Railway. Seasonal events like their PolarExpress™ Christmas Train Ride or the Midsummer Murder Mystery evenings offer entertainment that stays fresh throughout the year.

Heritage Presentation: Operated primarily by a dedicated team of volunteers, Churnet Valley Railway takes immense pride in preserving and showcasing the golden age of British rail travel. The meticulously restored steam locomotives, along with vintage carriages, offer passengers an authentic glimpse into the past.

Partnerships Galore: Beyond providing a thrilling day out, Churnet Valley Railway collaborates with external partners to bring Staffordshire some of its most loved events. From bringing festival-goers to villages accessible only by rail to hosting engaging and interactive educational events for children, Churnet Valley continues to offer new and exciting options to the communities they serve. Hop on board and experience the unique blend of nostalgia, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality that only Churnet Valley Railway can offer.


Contact info

4.8

Excellent

TrustScore 5 out of 5

14K reviews

5-star
4-star
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1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 98% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 48 hours

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4.8

All reviews

(14,157)

4,566 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Greek meal steam train experience

Fantastic Greek evening meal onboard the steam engine and the carriage journey was just wonderful. The staff were so lovely and friendly from the booking in lady to the waiting staff everyone had a smile. The carriage was beautifully decorated with art deco lighting and the table setting looked amazing. Lovely scenery along the way and we were onboard for about 2 hours 30 mins. We shared a table with a lovely couple which just added to our trip. The food was restaurant quality and delicious. The staff serving us were all friendly and jolly. How they can balance all the glasses on the tray whilst on the moving train I'll never know! Little tip-It's cash only on the train or you have to queue to pay by card on the way out of the station. Also there was a big queue for the toilet on the platform so use the train toilets before disembarking. There's plenty of parking spaces available and we weren't too long getting out of the car park. Would highly recommend this experience.

21 August 2026
Unprompted review
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you so much for your fantastic and detailed review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful evening on our Greek Dining Experience.

It’s lovely to hear that you enjoyed the beautifully decorated carriage, Art Deco lighting, table settings and the scenery along the route. We’re especially pleased that you enjoyed the food and found it to be restaurant quality.

We’re also delighted that you found our whole team so friendly and welcoming, from booking in through to the waiting staff. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind comments to the team – and we agree, balancing those drinks on a moving train is quite a skill!

Thank you too for sharing your helpful tips for future guests. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another dining experience with us soon.

Kind regards,

Debbie
01538 360522

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The whole experience was wonderful

The whole experience was wonderful. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. The food was also very good. There was no hurry, and we felt that everyone was doing their best to make sure we had a good time.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you so much for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful experience with us and that our friendly and helpful staff helped make your visit enjoyable.

It’s also great to hear that you enjoyed the food and appreciated the relaxed pace of the experience. Our team work hard to ensure everyone has a memorable time, so your kind comments are very much appreciated.

We hope to welcome you back to the Churnet Valley Railway again soon!

Kind regards,

Debbie
01538 360522

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic time

Great people volunteering there! Welcoming atmosphere, great little cafe and a fantastic train ride on an actual steam train! Would definitely return again

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time with us.

It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, our café and, of course, your steam train journey. We’re especially pleased that our volunteers made such a positive impression – they are a huge part of what makes the Churnet Valley Railway special.

Thank you for your kind comments, and we’re thrilled to hear that you’d like to return. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

Kind regards,

Debbie
01538 360522

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great evening & the food was delicious

Great evening & the food was delicious

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear that you had a great evening with us and enjoyed the food.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to welcome you back to the Churnet Valley Railway again soon!

Kind regards,

Debbie
01538 360522

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Magical experience

Magical experience. Wonderful staff, excellent service, gorgeous food, stunning views. Highly recommend.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a magical experience with us!

It’s lovely to hear that you enjoyed the gorgeous food, stunning views and excellent service, and that our wonderful staff helped make your visit so special.

Thank you for your kind recommendation. We really appreciate it and hope to welcome you back to the Churnet Valley Railway again soon! 🚂

Kind regards,

Debbie
01538 360522

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booking was easy

Booking was easy, lovely train journey. Staff are very friendly and helpful.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service

Great service, the food was delicious. Lovely atmosphere on board.
We would love to go again.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Bombay Express

Wonderful staff. Great service. A great curry experience, and a locomotive that released my inner 12 year old.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Well organised and friendly staff.

We were a party of 23 on a repeat trip on the pie n mash special. Once again everything was so well organised and delivered a wonderful experience. The quality of the food was excellent. All of the staff/volunteers were very friendly and welcoing.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We had a lovely day out lovely food…

We had a lovely day out lovely food lovely staff and lovely views with a brilliant service on the train

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a wonderful time my friend and I…

What a wonderful time my friend and I had yesterday on the Butty and Brew train.It was so well organised and everything ran smoothly too.A beautiful day and an amazing train ride with beautiful scenery and countryside.Many thanks I would highly recommend this and look forward to doing this again sometime 😊 Tracey B

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

‘Pie & Mash special

Lovely time aboard the ‘Pie & Mash’ special. The staff were friendly and helpful, the food was excellent, and the whole experience was a gentle and enjoyable way to spend a summer’s evening.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Over the moon

Friendy welcome clesn good trip

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lovely trip

Lovely trip we did the brew and butty booking as one of my husbands 50th birthday presents thoroughly enjoyed it very relaxing and lovely friendly staff

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It was a birthday present for my…

It was a birthday present for my partner and we had a wonderful day. It was very easy to book and the staff were very kind and accommodating. We were greeted at the station by a lovely lady.The staff on board were also very kind, nothing was too much trouble.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lovely evening

Husband loved the steam train journey with 3 course Greek meal. Food great, service excellent and a lovely ambience. The only negative (but out of their control) was that due to the very dry weather we couldn’t travel as far down the line as planned due to fire risks so we did half the journey and back twice.

14 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

My mum and dad thoroughly enjoyed their…

My mum and dad thoroughly enjoyed their trip on the Bombay express yesterday. Everything was well organised and food was delicious. Would definitely recommend.

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had a great time.

Had a great time.
Food was delicious.

Great value for money and experience

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great time

Great time , lovely meal, great service very civilised. Comfortable seats. Easy parking. A special experience. Would recommend

22 August 2026
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC logo

Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC

Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.

Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533

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